Tree test

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The tree test is a projective test for psychodiagnostics that was presented in 1952 by the Swiss psychologist Charles Koch. It is used in individual and group tests for children from the age of 6 as well as for adolescents and adults and is used in psychological practice, school psychology, career counseling and in admission procedures and in psychiatry. The tree test is a method for analyzing personality components , cognitive impairment and emotional development. It is also used to assess the intelligence and level of development of school children and adults.

Charles Koch chose the tree for the test, as trees play an important role in many mythologies around the world. In addition, trees are unencumbered objects that allow a wide range of connections and associations . Koch assumes that the type and shape of the tree drawn allows conclusions to be drawn about the subject's psyche and subconscious.

method

The test person is asked to draw a fruit tree on a white sheet of approximately DIN A4 . A psychologist then evaluates the drawing as well as the behavior and, if necessary, the comments of the test person.

Two evaluation strategies are used in the tree test. The external structural analysis considers the drawn tree as a whole and relates v. a. its positioning on the paper and its size. The internal structure analysis , on the other hand, includes the finer details of the tree drawing in the analysis. Koch describes 59 detailed aspects that serve to interpret individual thoughts and feelings. For example, roots, trunk, branches, crown, leaves, nodes, shadows, symmetry and other aspects are assessed and interpreted, respectively.

For example, large trees are associated with the test person's self-confidence . Big roots are interpreted as straightness and liveliness. Large branches are associated with arrogance .

The German neurologist Dr. Count Wittgenstein goes back the so-called Wittgenstein index. The height of the tree is related to the age of the test person. The measured height of a conspicuous irregularity (e.g. a kink in the trunk) is then taken as an indication of trauma at the corresponding age of the test person. However, the Wittgenstein Index is very controversial.

classification

The advantages of this tree test are that it can be carried out quickly (about 5–10 minutes), it is easy to use (pen and paper) and it is also possible to observe the test subject's motor and cognitive abilities.

An often criticized disadvantage are the inadequate test quality criteria with regard to objectivity and reliability of implementation and evaluation, and the low validity of the test results. Because of these weaknesses, the tree test is rarely used in modern psychodiagnostics.

literature

  • Ursula Avé-Lallemant, Baum-Tests, 2006.
  • Charles Koch, Der Baumtest, 1949, 12th unaltered reprint 2008 of the 9th corrected edition, Huber Verlag.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ M. Stanzani Maserati, C. Matacena, L. Sambati, F. Oppi, R. Poda, M. De Matteis, R. Gallassi: The Tree-Drawing Test (Koch's Baum Test): A Useful Aid to Diagnose Cognitive Impairment. In: Behavioral neurology. Volume 2015, 2015, p. 534681, doi : 10.1155 / 2015/534681 , PMID 26175548 , PMC 4484840 (free full text).
  2. ^ Hogrefe test center. Retrieved August 30, 2017 .
  3. ↑ Lexicon of Science: Tree Test. Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg, 2000, accessed on August 30, 2017 .
  4. ↑ Ursula Avé-Lallemant: Tree tests . Ernst Reinhard Verlag, 2006, ISBN 978-3-497-02647-0 .
  5. ↑ Charles Koch: The Tree Test .
  6. ^ Franz Wienand: Projective diagnostics in children, adolescents and families . Kohlhammer, 2015, ISBN 978-3-17-021007-3 .